By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
In a bid to foster technological innovation and empower women in Sierra Leone, the 6th edition of the Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP) has been officially launched in the country. There are two categories with the first specifically dealing with Promoting Women in Tech and Innovation and the second calling for submission of Technological and Innovative Projects.
Orange, a leading telecommunications company, aims to support and reward entrepreneurs who are making a positive impact through their tech-driven social ventures.
The OSVP is offering a platform for tech enthusiasts and innovators to showcase their projects that address social and environmental challenges. This year, the focus is on promoting women in technology and innovation, encouraging gender diversity and inclusivity in the tech sector.
Participants in the competition, under the category of Promoting Women in Tech and Innovation, stand a chance to win attractive prizes, with the national prize set at NLE 120,000 and the international prize at €20,000. Entrepreneurs with innovative ideas are invited to submit their applications online at https://poesam.orange.com/en/. The deadline for submissions is on the 26th of May, 2024.
The theme for this year’s competition is: “Innovation SL: Creating the Future Today,” emphasizing the importance of innovative solutions in shaping a better tomorrow for Sierra Leone. The OSVP serves as a platform to nurture local talent, drive entrepreneurship and contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.
Entrepreneurs and innovators are encouraged to seize this opportunity to showcase their projects, gain recognition, and access the support needed to bring their ideas to life. With Orange leading the way in promoting tech-driven social entrepreneurship, the future of innovation in Sierra Leone looks brighter than ever.
For individuals and teams that will be submitting Technological and Innovative Projects the OSVP is offering a National Prize of NLE 200,000 and an International Prize of €25,000 to the most promising and groundbreaking projects. Whether individuals or teams have tech startups or social enterprises, this is a chance to showcase ideas and make a difference in communities.
To participate, applicants can submit their projects at https://poesam.orange.com/en/ before the submission deadline on the 26th of May, 2024. It is an opportunity to be part of Innovation SL and shape the future today!
In another development, the Orange Sierra Leone Digital Center is launching a free high-level certification training program in partnership with Coursera, the world leader in online learning.
This partnership aims to offer young people in Africa and the Middle East the opportunity to acquire essential skills in digital professions, free of charge and at their own pace.
The Orange Digital Center (ODC) network is driving digital inclusion for young people and entrepreneurs across Africa and the Middle East through its 16 centers.
It is launching the initiative to provide young people in the region with key skills in essential areas such as artificial intelligence, cyber-security, digital marketing and entrepreneurship. These programs are designed to meet the needs of the ever-evolving job market, providing talented young people with the knowledge and skills they need to enter the job market, develop their careers or encourage them to become digital entrepreneurs.
Orange Digital Centers are physical structures designed to be hubs of innovation and learning, free and open to all, providing a dynamic environment where young people can develop their skills, explore new technologies, and stimulate their creativity.
Equipped with the latest technologies, they support young people throughout the entire technological innovation and entrepreneurship value chain.
This innovation ecosystem consists of several spaces that offer free learning programs: a Code School, a Solidarity FabLab, an ‘Orange Fab’ startup accelerator, and Orange Ventures Middle East and Africa, the Orange Group’s investment fund that invests in the most promising startups.
Asma Ennaifer, Executive Director CSR, Orange Digital Centers and Communication, Orange Africa and Middle East, says: “At Orange, we firmly believe that digital inclusion is the key to creating a fairer and more prosperous future for everyone. In partnership with Coursera and through the Orange Digital Centers, we are opening the doors of certification training to all our beneficiaries, offering educational and professional development opportunities to those who need them most.”
All the Orange SL Digital Center training courses are on the Coursera platform here https://www.coursera.org/
